sergeant

ser-geant · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A noncommissioned officer in the armed forces, typically ranking above a corporal.

  2. 2.

    A police officer ranking below a lieutenant or captain.

  3. 3.

    (historical) A servant or attendant, especially one who enforced the law.

Forms

plural: sergeants

Related words

See also: military, officer, rank
Synonyms: NCO, noncommissioned officer

Etymology

From Old French sergent ("servant, soldier"), from Latin serviēns ("serving"), present participle of servīre ("to serve"). The military sense developed from the medieval meaning of an armed servant or retainer. The spelling with -ea- became standard in English despite the pronunciation.